Title:
Influence of Cutting Frequency and Nitrogen Fertilization in Permanent Grassland on the Biogas Production
Author(s):
Gützloe, A., Thumm, U., Lewandowski, I.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
In large regions of Europe grassland is not any more needed for fodder production because its use is not economically viable. Because of the important role it plays in maintaining biodiversity and soil carbon stored grassland should be maintained. The energetic use of grassland could be an alternative to generate income from grassland. A long term field trial was established in 1994 by sowing a mixture of 23 different grassland species and was managed until 2007 under different nitrogen fertilizer levels regimes and cutting frequencies. Annual dry matter yields varied between 10.8 t ha-1 (2 cuts per year) and 9.1 t ha-1 (4 cuts per year). Energy- and CO2-balances were calculated to assess the energy efficieny and the global warming potential of different grassland management systems. Maximizing the overall biomass yields from grasslands does not always lead to maximized biogas yields, because these also depend on the quality (e.g. fibre content) of the harvested biomass. In conclusion, with regard to energetic aspects, a high cutting frequency is favorable for maximizing biogas yields.
Keywords:
biogas, biomass, CO2 balance, energy balance, fertilization, greenhouse gases (GHG)
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops (session 3)
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
OC1.5
Pages:
168 - 172
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OC1.5
Price:
FREE
